4 Answers
4

An headless server JUST used for file server functionality should just have packages to handle that function.
You could perform a minimal install and then add just samba and ssh and get rid of everything else.
Bios suggestions from Rory Alsop are a good idea.
Do you have a vga on the motherboard so you can use that instead of the nvidia?
That would be another idea.
You can also see if Openfiler can suit your needs (it has a cool web interface and it's great for fileservers imho)

+1 - I wanted to see if Xubuntu 11.04 was actually usable as a desktop (it is - I wasn't impressed with Ubuntu 11.04) so I installed a full desktop. Now that's said and done, should I bother uninstalling certain packages? I could always do a fresh install I guess. Regrettably the mobo doesn't have onboard graphics. Thanks for the openfiler suggestion. I'll check it out now.
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boehjJul 11 '11 at 12:37

If you plan to prepare a hyperminimal system you can also check Debian Minimal Installation. Done that just add on the top of it single applications and services you need. Don't be afraid of terminal: push yourself to learn. Then you'll find yourself doing administrative tasks from your mobile phone and a flaky connection with freedom and satisfaction :)
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PittoJul 11 '11 at 13:26

I clocked the E8200 down to 2.00 GHz. I could go lower of course but it's a nice even number and I want a little bit of grunt if I choose to do some transcoding or what have you. In any case, she's purring along nicely now.
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boehjJul 13 '11 at 16:21

You can underclock the E8200 in the BIOS, which will reduce your power when the machine is under load. The powersave features built in to Linux should keep power consumption relatively low anyway.

You can use nvclock to lower the clock speed on your video card which will also save power - not a huge amount. You may get a better power saving by using a 2D only environment - disable all 3D features, including 3D or graphic intensive screensavers - ideally use a blank screen with monitor powersave.